Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
advice
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From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
all
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From this reading So the old house was all bedizened with lanterns and bunches of late spring flowers, and in the bare, white-painted, dignified hallway a negro band, hidden discreetly by flowers, sat making noisy, obscene music.
AlreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Already her great-aunt, Mrs. Cassandra Struthers, a formidable woman, had gone through the list of eligible young men--the cousins and connections who were presentable and possessed of fortunes worthy of consideration by a family so solidly rich as the Pentlands.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Already her great-aunt, Mrs. Cassandra Struthers, a formidable woman, had gone through the list of eligible young men--the cousins and connections who were presentable and possessed of fortunes worthy of consideration by a family so solidly rich as the Pentlands.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
ball
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From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
band
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From this reading So the old house was all bedizened with lanterns and bunches of late spring flowers, and in the bare, white-painted, dignified hallway a negro band, hidden discreetly by flowers, sat making noisy, obscene music.
bare
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From this reading So the old house was all bedizened with lanterns and bunches of late spring flowers, and in the bare, white-painted, dignified hallway a negro band, hidden discreetly by flowers, sat making noisy, obscene music.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
bedizened
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From this reading So the old house was all bedizened with lanterns and bunches of late spring flowers, and in the bare, white-painted, dignified hallway a negro band, hidden discreetly by flowers, sat making noisy, obscene music.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
Boston
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From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
bunches
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From this reading So the old house was all bedizened with lanterns and bunches of late spring flowers, and in the bare, white-painted, dignified hallway a negro band, hidden discreetly by flowers, sat making noisy, obscene music.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading So the old house was all bedizened with lanterns and bunches of late spring flowers, and in the bare, white-painted, dignified hallway a negro band, hidden discreetly by flowers, sat making noisy, obscene music.
Cassandra
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already her great-aunt, Mrs. Cassandra Struthers, a formidable woman, had gone through the list of eligible young men--the cousins and connections who were presentable and possessed of fortunes worthy of consideration by a family so solidly rich as the Pentlands.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
connections
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
conservative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
consideration
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From this reading Already her great-aunt, Mrs. Cassandra Struthers, a formidable woman, had gone through the list of eligible young men--the cousins and connections who were presentable and possessed of fortunes worthy of consideration by a family so solidly rich as the Pentlands.
countryside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was toward this end that the ball had been launched and the whole countryside invited, young and old, spry and infirm, middle-aged and dowdy--toward this end and with the idea of showing the world that the family had lost none of its prestige for all the lack of young people in its ranks.
cousins
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From this reading Already her great-aunt, Mrs. Cassandra Struthers, a formidable woman, had gone through the list of eligible young men--the cousins and connections who were presentable and possessed of fortunes worthy of consideration by a family so solidly rich as the Pentlands.
dignified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the old house was all bedizened with lanterns and bunches of late spring flowers, and in the bare, white-painted, dignified hallway a negro band, hidden discreetly by flowers, sat making noisy, obscene music.
discreetly
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From this reading So the old house was all bedizened with lanterns and bunches of late spring flowers, and in the bare, white-painted, dignified hallway a negro band, hidden discreetly by flowers, sat making noisy, obscene music.
dowdy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was toward this end that the ball had been launched and the whole countryside invited, young and old, spry and infirm, middle-aged and dowdy--toward this end and with the idea of showing the world that the family had lost none of its prestige for all the lack of young people in its ranks.
eighteen
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From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
elect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
eligible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already her great-aunt, Mrs. Cassandra Struthers, a formidable woman, had gone through the list of eligible young men--the cousins and connections who were presentable and possessed of fortunes worthy of consideration by a family so solidly rich as the Pentlands.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was toward this end that the ball had been launched and the whole countryside invited, young and old, spry and infirm, middle-aged and dowdy--toward this end and with the idea of showing the world that the family had lost none of its prestige for all the lack of young people in its ranks.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
flowers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the old house was all bedizened with lanterns and bunches of late spring flowers, and in the bare, white-painted, dignified hallway a negro band, hidden discreetly by flowers, sat making noisy, obscene music.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
formidableadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmɪdəbəl/
very difficult to deal with or overcome
From this reading Already her great-aunt, Mrs. Cassandra Struthers, a formidable woman, had gone through the list of eligible young men--the cousins and connections who were presentable and possessed of fortunes worthy of consideration by a family so solidly rich as the Pentlands.
fortunes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already her great-aunt, Mrs. Cassandra Struthers, a formidable woman, had gone through the list of eligible young men--the cousins and connections who were presentable and possessed of fortunes worthy of consideration by a family so solidly rich as the Pentlands.
forty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already her great-aunt, Mrs. Cassandra Struthers, a formidable woman, had gone through the list of eligible young men--the cousins and connections who were presentable and possessed of fortunes worthy of consideration by a family so solidly rich as the Pentlands.
great-aunt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already her great-aunt, Mrs. Cassandra Struthers, a formidable woman, had gone through the list of eligible young men--the cousins and connections who were presentable and possessed of fortunes worthy of consideration by a family so solidly rich as the Pentlands.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
hallway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the old house was all bedizened with lanterns and bunches of late spring flowers, and in the bare, white-painted, dignified hallway a negro band, hidden discreetly by flowers, sat making noisy, obscene music.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
hidden
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From this reading So the old house was all bedizened with lanterns and bunches of late spring flowers, and in the bare, white-painted, dignified hallway a negro band, hidden discreetly by flowers, sat making noisy, obscene music.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
idea
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From this reading It was toward this end that the ball had been launched and the whole countryside invited, young and old, spry and infirm, middle-aged and dowdy--toward this end and with the idea of showing the world that the family had lost none of its prestige for all the lack of young people in its ranks.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
included
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
infirm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was toward this end that the ball had been launched and the whole countryside invited, young and old, spry and infirm, middle-aged and dowdy--toward this end and with the idea of showing the world that the family had lost none of its prestige for all the lack of young people in its ranks.
introduced
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From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
invited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was toward this end that the ball had been launched and the whole countryside invited, young and old, spry and infirm, middle-aged and dowdy--toward this end and with the idea of showing the world that the family had lost none of its prestige for all the lack of young people in its ranks.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
lack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was toward this end that the ball had been launched and the whole countryside invited, young and old, spry and infirm, middle-aged and dowdy--toward this end and with the idea of showing the world that the family had lost none of its prestige for all the lack of young people in its ranks.
lanterns
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From this reading So the old house was all bedizened with lanterns and bunches of late spring flowers, and in the bare, white-painted, dignified hallway a negro band, hidden discreetly by flowers, sat making noisy, obscene music.
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the old house was all bedizened with lanterns and bunches of late spring flowers, and in the bare, white-painted, dignified hallway a negro band, hidden discreetly by flowers, sat making noisy, obscene music.
lately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
launched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was toward this end that the ball had been launched and the whole countryside invited, young and old, spry and infirm, middle-aged and dowdy--toward this end and with the idea of showing the world that the family had lost none of its prestige for all the lack of young people in its ranks.
list
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already her great-aunt, Mrs. Cassandra Struthers, a formidable woman, had gone through the list of eligible young men--the cousins and connections who were presentable and possessed of fortunes worthy of consideration by a family so solidly rich as the Pentlands.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was toward this end that the ball had been launched and the whole countryside invited, young and old, spry and infirm, middle-aged and dowdy--toward this end and with the idea of showing the world that the family had lost none of its prestige for all the lack of young people in its ranks.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the old house was all bedizened with lanterns and bunches of late spring flowers, and in the bare, white-painted, dignified hallway a negro band, hidden discreetly by flowers, sat making noisy, obscene music.
members
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already her great-aunt, Mrs. Cassandra Struthers, a formidable woman, had gone through the list of eligible young men--the cousins and connections who were presentable and possessed of fortunes worthy of consideration by a family so solidly rich as the Pentlands.
middle-aged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was toward this end that the ball had been launched and the whole countryside invited, young and old, spry and infirm, middle-aged and dowdy--toward this end and with the idea of showing the world that the family had lost none of its prestige for all the lack of young people in its ranks.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already her great-aunt, Mrs. Cassandra Struthers, a formidable woman, had gone through the list of eligible young men--the cousins and connections who were presentable and possessed of fortunes worthy of consideration by a family so solidly rich as the Pentlands.
music
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the old house was all bedizened with lanterns and bunches of late spring flowers, and in the bare, white-painted, dignified hallway a negro band, hidden discreetly by flowers, sat making noisy, obscene music.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
negro
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From this reading So the old house was all bedizened with lanterns and bunches of late spring flowers, and in the bare, white-painted, dignified hallway a negro band, hidden discreetly by flowers, sat making noisy, obscene music.
New
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
noisy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the old house was all bedizened with lanterns and bunches of late spring flowers, and in the bare, white-painted, dignified hallway a negro band, hidden discreetly by flowers, sat making noisy, obscene music.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading It was toward this end that the ball had been launched and the whole countryside invited, young and old, spry and infirm, middle-aged and dowdy--toward this end and with the idea of showing the world that the family had lost none of its prestige for all the lack of young people in its ranks.
obscene
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From this reading So the old house was all bedizened with lanterns and bunches of late spring flowers, and in the bare, white-painted, dignified hallway a negro band, hidden discreetly by flowers, sat making noisy, obscene music.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
Paris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
Pentland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
Pentlands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already her great-aunt, Mrs. Cassandra Struthers, a formidable woman, had gone through the list of eligible young men--the cousins and connections who were presentable and possessed of fortunes worthy of consideration by a family so solidly rich as the Pentlands.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was toward this end that the ball had been launched and the whole countryside invited, young and old, spry and infirm, middle-aged and dowdy--toward this end and with the idea of showing the world that the family had lost none of its prestige for all the lack of young people in its ranks.
Philadelphia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
polite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
possessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already her great-aunt, Mrs. Cassandra Struthers, a formidable woman, had gone through the list of eligible young men--the cousins and connections who were presentable and possessed of fortunes worthy of consideration by a family so solidly rich as the Pentlands.
presentable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already her great-aunt, Mrs. Cassandra Struthers, a formidable woman, had gone through the list of eligible young men--the cousins and connections who were presentable and possessed of fortunes worthy of consideration by a family so solidly rich as the Pentlands.
prestige
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was toward this end that the ball had been launched and the whole countryside invited, young and old, spry and infirm, middle-aged and dowdy--toward this end and with the idea of showing the world that the family had lost none of its prestige for all the lack of young people in its ranks.
ranks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was toward this end that the ball had been launched and the whole countryside invited, young and old, spry and infirm, middle-aged and dowdy--toward this end and with the idea of showing the world that the family had lost none of its prestige for all the lack of young people in its ranks.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
rich
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already her great-aunt, Mrs. Cassandra Struthers, a formidable woman, had gone through the list of eligible young men--the cousins and connections who were presentable and possessed of fortunes worthy of consideration by a family so solidly rich as the Pentlands.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the old house was all bedizened with lanterns and bunches of late spring flowers, and in the bare, white-painted, dignified hallway a negro band, hidden discreetly by flowers, sat making noisy, obscene music.
School
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
showing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was toward this end that the ball had been launched and the whole countryside invited, young and old, spry and infirm, middle-aged and dowdy--toward this end and with the idea of showing the world that the family had lost none of its prestige for all the lack of young people in its ranks.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So the old house was all bedizened with lanterns and bunches of late spring flowers, and in the bare, white-painted, dignified hallway a negro band, hidden discreetly by flowers, sat making noisy, obscene music.
solidly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already her great-aunt, Mrs. Cassandra Struthers, a formidable woman, had gone through the list of eligible young men--the cousins and connections who were presentable and possessed of fortunes worthy of consideration by a family so solidly rich as the Pentlands.
spring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the old house was all bedizened with lanterns and bunches of late spring flowers, and in the bare, white-painted, dignified hallway a negro band, hidden discreetly by flowers, sat making noisy, obscene music.
spry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was toward this end that the ball had been launched and the whole countryside invited, young and old, spry and infirm, middle-aged and dowdy--toward this end and with the idea of showing the world that the family had lost none of its prestige for all the lack of young people in its ranks.
Struthers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already her great-aunt, Mrs. Cassandra Struthers, a formidable woman, had gone through the list of eligible young men--the cousins and connections who were presentable and possessed of fortunes worthy of consideration by a family so solidly rich as the Pentlands.
Sybil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was toward this end that the ball had been launched and the whole countryside invited, young and old, spry and infirm, middle-aged and dowdy--toward this end and with the idea of showing the world that the family had lost none of its prestige for all the lack of young people in its ranks.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was toward this end that the ball had been launched and the whole countryside invited, young and old, spry and infirm, middle-aged and dowdy--toward this end and with the idea of showing the world that the family had lost none of its prestige for all the lack of young people in its ranks.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Already her great-aunt, Mrs. Cassandra Struthers, a formidable woman, had gone through the list of eligible young men--the cousins and connections who were presentable and possessed of fortunes worthy of consideration by a family so solidly rich as the Pentlands.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading It was toward this end that the ball had been launched and the whole countryside invited, young and old, spry and infirm, middle-aged and dowdy--toward this end and with the idea of showing the world that the family had lost none of its prestige for all the lack of young people in its ranks.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Already her great-aunt, Mrs. Cassandra Struthers, a formidable woman, had gone through the list of eligible young men--the cousins and connections who were presentable and possessed of fortunes worthy of consideration by a family so solidly rich as the Pentlands.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
white-painted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the old house was all bedizened with lanterns and bunches of late spring flowers, and in the bare, white-painted, dignified hallway a negro band, hidden discreetly by flowers, sat making noisy, obscene music.
whitheradverbUS /ˈwɪðər/
an old word meaning “to where”
From this reading Sybil Pentland was eighteen and lately returned from School in Paris, whither she had been sent against the advice of the conservative members of her own family, which, it might have been said, included in its connections most of Boston.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was toward this end that the ball had been launched and the whole countryside invited, young and old, spry and infirm, middle-aged and dowdy--toward this end and with the idea of showing the world that the family had lost none of its prestige for all the lack of young people in its ranks.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading So the old house was all bedizened with lanterns and bunches of late spring flowers, and in the bare, white-painted, dignified hallway a negro band, hidden discreetly by flowers, sat making noisy, obscene music.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already her great-aunt, Mrs. Cassandra Struthers, a formidable woman, had gone through the list of eligible young men--the cousins and connections who were presentable and possessed of fortunes worthy of consideration by a family so solidly rich as the Pentlands.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
worthyadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːr.ði/
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading Already her great-aunt, Mrs. Cassandra Struthers, a formidable woman, had gone through the list of eligible young men--the cousins and connections who were presentable and possessed of fortunes worthy of consideration by a family so solidly rich as the Pentlands.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
York
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a ball in the old Pentland house because for the first time in nearly forty years there was a young girl in the family to be introduced to the polite world of Boston and to the elect who had been asked to come on from New York and Philadelphia.
